MR A. W. HOGG.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9526, 25 June 1909, Page 5

MR A. W. HOGG.

IN WELLINGTON. SOME PjLUNJPEAKING. By Telegraph—Press Association. WELLINGTON, Mr A. W. Hogg, late Minister tuT Labour, addressed a packed audience in the Town Hall, to-night. Mr D. McLaren, M.P., presided. Mr Hogg said he had been told that his first duty was to explain his conduct to his constituents, but after over a quarter of a century they knew him well, "for it is said,"remarked Mr Hogg, "that I am a strong party man. The individual who makes that remark does not know me or my political history. When I was returned nearly twenty years ago as a representative of a constituency, I was bound to no policy, statesman or party. I have always exercised a free hand. I have claimed that freedom, and have supported good government, but I have never been the slave of party, and never will be a slave of party (applause), and in my constituency, where the people know me well, I believe I have had almost as much support from the Opposition side as from the Government side, becauee even those opposed to me in regard to politics, believed I was honest and fearless, and had the courage of my opinions, and that I would not betray their interests. (Applause). I have claimed the right to tbink for myself, to write as I thought proper, and to speak out my opinions and convictions in all honesty. Because I still claim that right I occupy this position to-night." Continuing, Mr Hogg said it was the right of every man and][womatt in this country to speak fearlessly and freely, to think for themselves and do what was right and proper and never to shirk their convictions. (Applause). He would rather be a. toad Jiving in a dungeon than be a Minister tongue-tied, gagged and muzzled even at £I,OOO a year By pne sacriticiai act oije coujd do mews : - pubJie attention than all t0 "- of one's life ffe other public ew.. titfe was pleased to think cue act he had performed was likely to hasten splendid period when people of this country wou!d have their rights demonstrated. (Applause).

Mr Hogg went on at some length to give his views against land monopoly. He had seen in the Forty Mile Bush little dairy farms being aggregated into big sheep runs. Instead of progress in settlement there had of late years been aggregation and ?e----tmgression. There had been plen y of transfers, but no real settlement In the King County recently splendid land crying aloud for settlement. The Government htd (Purchased a small block here aid there, but had -not developed it, lot the private investor was making his bargain with the natives, instead of transactions being carried out in 3 fair and open way through the medium of the Crown, and Land Toar.% land was being leased wholesale for 21 years, and before that term expired would become freehold property of the lessees, who were mostly speculators. When he returned from that trip' he remon~ strated about these private "dealings, and that land had been stolen from the people. Talk about the old days of gridironing, the same exploitation was going on under our very eyes, and it was because he saw the land monopolist scooping up the land and j buying up the little farmers, that he regarded land monopoly with and the man who practised it as a criminal. (Applause). The splendid weapon of the late John Ballance placed on the Statute Book 18 yeais ago had not been used. If the late Mr Seddon had agreed with the speaker on one subject more than another it was on using the graduated tax. It was because he had expounded these views during the last few days he had fallen out with tne Ministry. During the past two years the Advances to Settlers Department ' had been in a state bordering on collapse, and had not done half it should have done for the producing community. As to State currency he had advocated that for years. If. a few bank directors could issue paper money surely the people themselves should have the same privilege. (Applause). If when depression first came along the Government" nad shown the financiers that it was going to issue these notes with a proper reserve that would have evaporated like the morning mist under the sunshine. Referring to a suggestion that his recent utterances would affect our credit in London, he maintained it would rather do the reverse, by demonstrating that we ware consolidating our credit and were willing to help ourselves instead of relying upon money lenders. He had detached himself from the Cabinet because his views did not coincide with his colleagues on some vital questions. One was the suppression of land monopoly against which he would battle so long as he had life. Not a single syllable of his . speech would he relract. (Loud ap- - plause.) .Referring to the retrenchment scheme, Mr Hogg said that there was no need to cut down recklessly young branches doing good work. He had no grievance, and had never had an unpleasant word with any Minister. He trusted that they would organise and form if necessary a Land and Labour League—a league which would gather in strength everywhere and have branches in every part of the Dominion. The workers had the ball at their feet if they liked to kick it. They had been dormant too long. A resolution of thanks and commending Mr Hogg's action was carried unanimously. Mr Hogg had an attentive and appreciative hearing throughout.